The Sony Ericsson Satio was once known as the Idou, but thankfully got a name change before it’s official release. It’s available right now, unlocked, in Sony Style stores all across the United States, and you can also order it online from Sony Style’s website. What do you get if you drop almost $700 on this phone? A 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 16:9 ratio, three color options (black, silver, and bourdeaux), and social networking integration with Facebook, Picasa and YouTube for video uploads. It also has a built-in FM radio, if you’re tired of listening to music saved to the included 8GB M2 memory card.

But the real deciding factor is the 12.1MP camera on the back, with the Xenon flash. It’s also got a geo-tagging app built-in, that works seamlessly with Google Maps. You can, as aforementioned, upload those images on the go to Facebook and Picasa, as we’ve seen on some of the most updated smartphones available on the market. If you’re on AT&T, then this phone will work for you, and you’ll get 3G speeds. T-Mobile USA customers, sorry, you’ll only see EDGE speeds — no 3G. You can pick it up or order it right now for $650. Full press release right below. Anyone out there going to pick this up?

Sony Ericsson’s New Satio Multimedia Unlocked Mobile Phone Dazzles with High-Resolution 12.1 MP Camera and Endless Entertainment Options

What: Sony Electronics Inc. announced today that the new Sony Ericsson Satio™ unlocked handset is now available at Sony Style stores nationwide and atSonyStyle.com for approximately $650.

The Sony Ericsson Satio phone is a 3G-enabled mobile phone that features a 12.1 Megapixel camera with Xenon flash, allowing users to instantly capture those “can’t miss” moments.

Entertainment options are nearly limitless – connect with friends via its integrated Facebook® application, view and upload videos on YouTube™, easily surf the Web and listen to your favorite music anywhere. The Satio handset is equipped with Wi-Fi® and an intuitive touch screen display. To complete the entertainment package, it also includes Stereo Bluetooth® headphones, an 8GB M2 memory card and a USB connector cable in the box.

· CAPTURE: Catch high-resolution photos with the Satio phone’s 12.1 MP camera with touch focus, Xenon flash, Face Detection and BestPic™ technologies, image stabilization, red-eye reduction and video capture. The Geo-Tag™ application and the pre-installed Google Maps™ application enable users to view the location where photos are taken. The Satio phone’s 16:9 ratio screen shows videos and photos in more than 16 million colors.

· TOUCH: Access endless mobile entertainment with the Satio phone’s 3.5-inch crisp, touch screen display. Additionally, change the display’s orientation from landscape to portrait and back simply by rotating the phone.

· SHARE: Connect with friends and share photos using its integrated Facebook and Picasa™ applications. The phone is YouTube compatible making it simple to instantly view videos or upload and share personal, Satio-shot videos at 3G speeds.

· LISTEN: Enjoy music on-the-go with the built-in stereo FM radio. TrackID™ technology displays the artist and song title while its integrated Media Go™ software provides a personalized music experience enabling users to easily drag-and-drop their favorite MP3 tracks between any compatible PC and the Satio phone.

Why: Sony Electronics Inc. is the only authorized distributor of unlocked Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (SEMC) handsets in North America. The benefits for consumers include the SEMC manufacturer’s warranty when bought through an authorized dealer, as well as full customer support for the Satio phone and other Sony Ericsson unlocked handsets.

Who: The Satio phone is for mobile phone users who are tapped into the latest in mobile phone design and technology and who typically purchase unlocked phones for their added features and the flexibility to switch phones whenever the latest technology is available.

[via Sony Style]

“With Satio you can enjoy any form of entertainment anytime, anywhere. Whether its music or movies you will never be more than a tap away from your favourite tracks or shows,” said Fredrik Mansson, Market Business Manager at Sony Ericsson. “Just tap directly into your favourite videos and music with the unique full touch media menu, standby panels and music player. Snapping perfect pictures also just got so simple thanks to the 12.1 megapixel camera, intuitive touch focus and Xenon flash. Share them with your nearest and dearest via your social networking site, produce huge prints and you can even comment directly on your images.”

The Sony Ericsson Satio at a glance

• 12.1 megapixel camera, video light, xenon flash, auto focus, face detection, bestpic, geotagging, image stabilizer
• red-eye reduction, smile detection, touch focus
• Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
• WebKit web browser
• On-screen QWERTY keyboard
• Auto rotate
• Gesture control
• S60 5th edition Symbian OS
• HD and 3D games
• FM radio with RDS
• Java
• TV out
• In-built WiFi
• A-GPS
• Size: 112 x 55 x 13.3 mm
• Weight: 126 grams
• Main screen: 16,777,216 colour nHD TFT
• 16:9 widescreen
• Resolution: 640 x 360 pixels
• Size: 3.5 inches
• Phone memory: 128 MB
• Memory Card Support: SanDisk microSD

Sony Ericsson Idou is a full touch screen phone featuring a 12 megapixel camera. It will be available by the end of this year and according to recent rumor, it should be released by October or November. Check out a few more photos below:

Check out previous live report here

[via esato / semcblog] 

2009-04-06 14:16

Sony Ericsson in Germany has now informed that the sales of Sony Ericsson’s 12 MP mobile Idou will start in October or November. Sony Ericsson’s german product manager also says that Idou is just the first model in a series of entertainment phones from Sony Ericsson.

It is to the german WEB site Teltarif Sony Ericsson’s german product and pr manager now has given more details about the rumoured super mobile from Sony Ericsson.

- Idou is the project name for the first phone model. The focus for this project and the promis behind it is “Unlimited entertainment”. It is much more than just picture and music functions, for instance games, social networks or complete video services says Sony Ericsson’s german product manager Steffen Grosch.

More models in the series with focus on “unlimited entertainment” as in Idou are also on the way, according to Sony Ericsson’s german product manager.

Sony Ericsson Idou will have Symbian’s new operating system, which among other things is based on Nokia’s Series 60 and Sony Ericsson’s UIQ. The system will according to Symbian be complete around the summer.

Idou will also have a 12 MP camera, built-in GPS and a large 3.5″ touch screen.

According to german Sony Ericsson Idou will be available in October, but not later than November. According to Gustaf Brusewitz on Swedish Sony Ericsson however, the only information provided is that Idou will be available “sometimes during the second half of this year.”

Capture moments, talk through pictures and share all your experiences like never before with the 12.1 megapixel camera, intuitive touch features and Xenon flash. Tap directly into your favourite videos and tracks with the full-touch media menu and feast your eyes on movies, TV-series and video clips in true 16:9 widescreen format. Based on what will become the Symbian Foundation operating system, thousands of applications are available online letting you install new applications and download exciting content from PlayNow to make the Idou truly yours.

Dick Komiyama, President, Sony Ericsson said, “Entertainment Unlimited is at the core of Sony Ericsson’s philosophy, building on the strength of our great entertainment assets such as Walkman and Cyber-shot phones and our unique service and applications integration. Many of the strategic initiatives we’ve announced in the past year have laid the internal framework to launch this new consumer proposition to the market and Sony Ericsson is now ready to drive the next wave of market development with Entertainment Unlimited.”

The final specifications might be changed when the Sony Ericsson Idou is available, here is some of the available details

• 12.1 megapixel camera with Xenon Flash, auto focus
• 3.5-inch touch screen with 640 x 320 resolution
• Symbian OS
• Turbo 3G (HSDPA or HSUPA)
• WiFi
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• Micro M2 memory card slot

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out the live report from slashgear here